Daily News Editorial

A code to rein in misconduct 

15thOctober 2015

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is to introduce a Code of Conduct (CC) for members of Parliament, according to yesterday's Lead story in an English language daily. He had told a delegation of civil society representatives who met him that a CC for MPs will be introduced soon, the report added. It is about time. Parliament had over the years degenerated to such a level that one recalls an instance during the recent past when its Public Gallery had to be closed indefinitely.

The situation is no better today. If anything, it has gone from bad to worse with slanging matches, vituperative outbursts and free for alls being the order of the day. Nay, vulgar obscenities are being directed at no a lesser personage than the Prime Minister himself, a thing that was unimaginable in the past.

To begin with, strict compliance should be demanded with the CC. Party leaders should also be co opted by the Speaker in this task. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has shown the way in this regard. He had withdrawn the DCB funds to the newly elected UNP MPs who failed to attend an orientation seminar for them. Similar drastic action should be included in any CC designed for MPs. One area where the CC should be strictly implemented is with regard to Parliamentary attendance. Some MPs mark their attendance only to collect their Parliamentary allowance while some others come solely for the heavily subsidized lavish lunch. But the Code of Conduct should weigh heavily against misconduct.

How will the Speaker make the CC binding on all MPs is the question. Will there be accusations of bias or restriction of speech by the Opposition as is wont happen when such Codes of Conduct are imposed for Parliamentarians. This is something the Speaker should give deep thought to when drafting the CC. Already MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara is planning to go to Geneva to complain about circumscribing his Parliamentary privileges. The Speaker will not want the CC to be in conflict with members' privileges. How will vociferous members of the Opposition respond to the proposal? There is already plenty of bad blood generated between the two sides. Who will oversea the implementation of the CC for MPs? What will be its scope? Will the CC apply to the conduct of members outside Parliament as well?

It is indeed a telling indictment on our people' s representatives that a CC has to be introduced to make them behave. Time was when MPs conducted themselves with dignity and decorum obviating the need of any CC. This was a time when Parliament debates were of a high calibre with men of quality and standing adorning the August Assembly. Not that the proceedings were dull affairs. There were flare ups and heated cross talk across the floor. But any offensive remark carried with it an element of wit and humour, taking the sting out of such remarks. The debates were lively affairs with the cutting edge of parry and thrust that is sadly missing today. Instead what we have today is mudslinging, uncouth behaviour and unalloyed vulgarity forcing Parliament staff to shoo off schoolchildren from the Public Gallery.

Speaker Jayasuriya who has had a ring side view of all the happenings, we are sure, will know the areas where the MPs would need restraining the most. At the same time he must ensure that MPs' rights are not trod upon. We are not certain if the Speaker can call for a declaration of assets from Members of Parliament as part of the CC. Today, this is done by only a few members. This is a matter that directly relates to the conduct of a member who is required to follow the established norms. Hence the Speaker should direct his thoughts to having the asset declaration too incorporated into the CC.

The CC also should include the requirement for the presence of MPs in the House during sittings, at all times. Newspapers frequently report on how the quorum bell has to be rung often to summon MPs to their seats. Also, members who are listed to raise Oral Questions on a particular day should be required to be present at the commencement of sittings when such questions are raised. More often than not these MPs are missing during question time.

In short, the CC should be devised in such a way that Parliament is used to the optimum benefit, for the people. We say this because it has today descended to the level of being a place for rest and recreation for MPs and there had been occasions in the recent past when Parliament was treated with frivolity as seen from the way members in fancy dress laid a nocturnal siege on the House. No room should be left for such desecrations again, with members dealt with severely in such an event.

It is hoped that the Speaker's novel idea of devising a Code of Conduct for MPs will have the desired effect with Sri Lanka once again having a Parliament that will come close to matching past legislatures of this country that were founts of wisdom.